Van Nest

Van Nest is a working-class neighborhood of eastern Bronx, New York City. The area was named for the Van Nest station of the New Haven railroad, which was, in turn, named for railroad director Abraham R. Van Nest. In 1895, streets were graded over its muddy farmland, and the area would develop longstanding Italian and Albanian communities. However, the area became predominantly Puerto Rican and African-American during the 20th century. In 2011, Van Nest had a population of 13,909 people, with 20% living below the poverty line,